Religions of South Asia

Religions of South Asia

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

Buddhism in the Subcontinent

The essence of Buddhism

The essence of Buddhism

2,500 year old tradition.2,500 year old tradition.

The 3 jewels of Buddhism:The 3 jewels of Buddhism: BuddhaBuddha, the teacher., the teacher. DharmaDharma, the teachings., the teachings. SanghaSangha, the community., the community.

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE)

Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 BCE) Born in NE India Born in NE India

(Nepal).(Nepal). Raised in great luxuryRaised in great luxury

to be a king.to be a king. At 29 he rejectedAt 29 he rejected

his luxurious life tohis luxurious life toseek enlightenmentseek enlightenmentand the source ofand the source ofsuffering.suffering.

Lived a strict,Lived a strict,ascetic life for 6 yrs.ascetic life for 6 yrs.

Rejecting this extreme, sat in Rejecting this extreme, sat in meditation, and found meditation, and found nirvananirvana..

Became “The Enlightened One,” at Became “The Enlightened One,” at 35.35.

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

What is the fundamental cause

of all suffering?

Desire!Desire!

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths1.1. There is suffering and There is suffering and

unhappiness in the unhappiness in the world. To live is to world. To live is to suffer.suffer.

The Buddha The Buddha experienced suffering experienced suffering and death in others.and death in others.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

2.2. The cause of The cause of suffering is self-suffering is self-centered desire and centered desire and attachments to attachments to material goods.material goods.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths

3.3. The solution is to The solution is to eliminate desire eliminate desire and attachments and attachments and reach nirvana. and reach nirvana.

Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths4.4. To reach To reach nirvananirvana, one , one

must follow the must follow the Eightfold Path. Eightfold Path.

Eightfold PathEightfold Path

NirvanaNirvana The union with the The union with the ultimate ultimate spiritual reality. spiritual reality.

Escape from the cycle of Escape from the cycle of rebirth. rebirth.

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Buddha – 19c Thailand

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Mandala: Wheel of Life Motif

Buddhist AltarBuddhist Altar

Types of BuddhismTypes of

Buddhism Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Therevada Therevada BuddhismBuddhism

Mahayana Mahayana BuddhismBuddhism

Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.

Followed Buddha’s Followed Buddha’s teachings exactlyteachings exactly..

Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or

“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.

The oldest school of Buddhism.The oldest school of Buddhism.Followed Buddha’s Followed Buddha’s

teachings exactlyteachings exactly.. Found in southern Asia.Found in southern Asia. Focus on wisdom and meditation.Focus on wisdom and meditation. Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or Goal is to become a “Buddha,” or

“Enlightened One.”“Enlightened One.” Over 100,000,000 followers today.Over 100,000,000 followers today.

Theravada BuddhismTheravada Buddhism

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism Founded in northern Asia (China, Founded in northern Asia (China,

Japan).Japan). Buddhism “for the masses.”Buddhism “for the masses.”Believed that other people Believed that other people

can interpret the Buddha’s can interpret the Buddha’s teachings.teachings.

GoalGoal: Not just individual escape : Not just individual escape from the wheel, but the salvation from the wheel, but the salvation of all humanity through self-of all humanity through self-sacrifice of those enlightened few.sacrifice of those enlightened few.

Mahayana BuddhismMahayana Buddhism

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

Seated Boddhisatva – 16c

Bhutan

zen Buddhismzen Buddhism The “Meditation School.”The “Meditation School.” Seeks sudden enlightenment Seeks sudden enlightenment

through meditation, arriving through meditation, arriving at emptiness.at emptiness.

Use of meditation masters.Use of meditation masters. Beauty, art, and aesthetics:Beauty, art, and aesthetics:

Gardens.Gardens. Archery.Archery. Tea ceremony.Tea ceremony. Calligraphy.Calligraphy.

Buddhism in America (1999)

Buddhism in America (1999)